So, you’ve decided to go natural or you’re currently natural and the number one thing you’re worried about is how to have healthy, long hair. There are so many tips and tricks out there. Some are reasonable and others are a little wild – like the inversion method where you hang upside down for hair growth…please don’t do that! So what really works? I managed to grow my hair past waist length and the honest truth is that simplicity is key. Here are 4 tips to grow waist length hair.
1. Moisturize and Hydrate
Dry hair breaks. The more breakage, the less length retention. Keeping your hair adequately hydrated and moisturized is super important. Thank God Uncle Funky’s Daughter has an excellent range of moisturizing products. Thirsty Curls, Midnight Train, Supercurl, and Extra Butter are the core moisture and hydration products from UFD. Combine them however you want depending on your hair texture and porosity. My hair loves Thirsty curls, a leave-in hydrating spray. I use it several times a week, throughout the year, to maintain moisture levels in my hair. During the summer, I use Supercurl, a lightweight deep moisturizing cream and during the winter I go for the thicker creme, Extra Butter.
2. Deep Condition
For most of us naturals, deep conditioning is super important. Some people can get away with not doing it but I can’t play like that. Heal and Renew by UFD is my go-to deep conditioner. I introduced my brother to it in 2021 and he’s been stuck on it. The ingredients really penetrate and soften your strands. It also has adequate slip that makes detangling much easier, to reduce breakage and knots. Personally, I finger detangle so any deep conditioner that makes the process easier for me is a must have.
3. Protective Styles
Over the years, I’ve realized protective styling means different things to different people. A good protective style, to me, is a style that a) doesn’t involve too much hair manipulation to achieve the style, and b) ensures your ends are tucked away and not loose and c) makes it easy for you to moisturize your hair without having to take down the hairstyle. You can do protective styles with your own hair or you can use added hair!
You can also use heat to blow out your hair before styling. If you go this route, the UFD Maximum Thermal Protection line is your friend. There’s a heat protectant Primer, Split End Serum and 3 in 1 Shine Booster to protect your hair from heat damage. My go-to protective styles are two strand twists or African threading. These styles are so versatile because there are endless variations of them for different occasions. When your hair is in a protective style, your strands are tucked away and there is less breakage which promotes length retention.
4. Eat Healthy.
Last but certainly not least, you need to give your body the nutrients it needs to grow healthy hair. Our smart bodies nourish our essential tissues first before non-essential tissues like hair and nails so if you’re not eating well and enough, they suffer. All of the nutrients you need for healthy hair can be found in food, that’s why I don’t encourage taking “hair growth supplements”. Sometimes they do more harm than good. Eat a balanced diet with enough protein and vegetables and you should be fine.
I hope these simple and straightforward tips help you in your hair growth journey and do wonders for your hair!
xoxo
Aboyowa (@westafricanbaby)
